The usual festivities that make up Mardi Gras — the parades, the bead throwing, the bottomless cocktails — aren’t going to be a thing this year. Even New Orleans has cancelled its traditional celebration, though houses are getting gussied up to resemble floats.
In Knoxville, Pelican’s SnoBalls will reopen its doors at 5900 Kingston Pike today with Mardi Gras-related King Cake-flavored SnoBalls — and beads!
Also, the Episcopal Church of the Ascension is hosting a virtual Mardi Gras celebration on Zoom beginning at 6 pm. It will include a talent show, a virtual Mardi Gras parade, a celebration of Ascension outreach ministries, and a live auction. All proceeds will fund Ascension outreach ministries. Learn more about it here.
Mardi Gras, which is French for Fat Tuesday, is the last day before the season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. It was the day to eat all the good stuff before Lenten fasting began. So staying home and eating is an appropriate way to celebrate, too! Cheers!